Former governor general David Johnston, the independent special rapporteur looking into Chinese election interference, was grilled by a government committee over using a law firm associated with the Liberal Party and a close friend to clear him of a conflict of interest.. Michael Barrett .During Tuesday’s Commons Procedure and House Affairs committee meeting, Conservative MP Michael Barrett (Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON) asked Johnston about his connections to the Trudeau Foundation and a conflict of interest running the investigation..“Given your ties to the foundation. The foundation's involvement with Beijing and Beijing's role in your report. Do you see a conflict of interest?” asked Barrett..“My connection with the foundation of no role whatsoever with the decision-making of the board of directors.”.“You've been friends with Frank Iacobucci for decades. Is that correct?” asked Barrett. .“I met Iacobucci [when] young law professors at the University of Toronto. I think when I was 25, has been a lifelong friend,” replied Johnston..“Mr. Iacobucci, also a member of the Trudeau Foundation, is who you sought out an opinion from on the matter of whether or not you were in a conflict of interest, and for which he provided you the exemption or excuse that you were looking for,” asked Barrett..“Professor Iacobucci was not a member of the Trudeau Foundation. He was a mentor to students who were scholars,” replied Johnston..READ MORE Johnston testifies 'no conflict of interest' in Chinese election interference investigation.Barrett wanted to know why Johnston did not go to another retired Canadian Supreme Court Justice and used Iacobucci’s law firm with other connections to the Liberal Party..“I believe there's, you know, at least 12 retired Supreme Court justices who aren't associated with the Trudeau Foundation,” said Barrett..“Mr. Iacobucci’s law firm Torys LLP was also hired. You hired them to assist you and working for Tory's was longtime Liberal donor Sheila Block. So we have you with an association to the Trudeau Foundation. We have Mr. Iacobucci, who is associated with the Trudeau Foundation. We have Miss Block, who is a lifetime donor supporter of the Liberal Party, including attending fundraising events with the prime minister in recent in recent time. Given all of that, you don't see a conflict of interest?” asked Barrett..“I do not see conflict as Sheila Block is a preeminent counsel. She served me very faithfully when I was invited by prime minister [Stephen] Harper to undertake another very difficult inquiry 15 years or so ago. She is renowned for the quality of her work is certainly important work that's done well,” replied Johnston..“That said, the conclusions in the report are mine. Whatever lawyers in practice or others do with respect to contributions to political campaigns. These are all on public record and well understood.”.READ MORE Johnston tells committee that public inquiries are ‘very expensive’.NDP leader Jagmeet Singh questioned why Johnston would not step down even after the House of Commons passed a resolution asking for his resignation..“Last week, we passed a resolution in the House, and you alluded to it, but I also want to say that we recommended that you step down,” said Singh..“Given the appearance of bias and I made one concrete example, that it is to a reasonable person, he would see that there's a clear appearance of bias. The fact that the lead counsel repeatedly donated to the Liberal Party and attended a fundraiser with the prime minister as late as 2021. This appearance of bias to a reasonable person would undermine the work that you're hoping to do and that that work cannot be achieved because of the appearance of bias.”.Conservative MP Larry Brock (Brantford-Brant, ON) asked “Mr. Johnston, aside from Navigator [a consulting firm], are there any other individuals or entities assisting you currently?”.“I've received informal advice from numbers of people, including professionals, but no one has been paid for their services apart from Navigator,” replied Johnston..“Are Don Guy, Brian Topp or anyone else from GT and company involved with assisting you?” asked Brock..“Yes, those two individuals have provided advice to me, which was quite welcome,” replied Johnston..“I think that started about 10 days ago, as I recall.”.Don Guy is former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty’s chief of staff and Brian Topp is the former chief of staff for Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley.
